We have all seen them, the glossy magazines filled to the brim with beautiful bodies and successful people but why do we have this perception? It seems to me the media is the basis of society's image of normal.
Within the pages of girls magazines we see photographs of models showing us THE look we are supposed to imitate. Celebrity diet and fashion advice fill the pages that girls absorb daily. There is one problem however; these airbrushed images aren't reality for most people.
If they are accepted as such it makes those who don't live up to this image feel left out or worthless. Some people even go to the extent of crash diets, leading to starvation and eating disorders. This shows the intense power the media has over us.
Due to the amount of control the media has, it influences many aspects of our lives; our actions and behaviour, even the way we think. It would be great if the media promoted positive messages but unfortunately it thrives on controversy.
How often do we see celebrities grace the covers of newspapers and magazines for something good? Recently we saw pictures of Kate Moss snorting cocaine. Shock, Horror, models do drugs! Instead of her career collapsing, fans became more interested in her. She got new contracts, was voted best dressed by British magazine, GLAMOUR, and is still an idol for many young people.
Pete Doherty, lead singer with Babyshambles, although a self-confessed drug addict, was voted coolest man alive last year by NME magazine. These people are supposed to be our role models!
Indeed, a few weeks ago four 14-year old girls were caught in school snorting cocaine before class in West Sussex in England. It is my opinion the rise in young people taking drugs and the increase in the publication of celebrity drug taking could be linked.
Most people do have a need to feel accepted. If the media is brainwashing us into believing we should aspire to be like these people, then it is easy to realise why many go to extremes to become a version of them.
About the team
This story was writen by Nicole Lynch and edited by Rebecca Burns. It was published by Reach for the Sky website.
